Monterrey Ties UCL Finalist Inter Milan in FIFA Club World Cup Debut
Monterrey's Sergio Ramos, center, celebrates scoring the opening goal with teammate Lucas Ocampos during the Club World Cup group E soccer match between CF Monterrey and Inter Milan in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Italian giants Inter Milan and Mexico’s C.F Monterrey (known by fans as Rayados), tied 1-1 in their debut (June 17) in the FIFA Club World Cup, the tournament that brings the best clubs in the world together. This edition is being held in the United States, running from June 14 to July 13.
Rayados held their own against UEFA Champions League finalist Inter Milan in a leveled match that took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This gives the team great hopes for a possible qualification to the next stage of the tournament.
The Mexican side took the lead In the 25th minute after former Real Madrid Captain, Sergio Ramos scored an amazing header off a corner kick from Oliver Torres, with little resistance from Alessandro Bastoni.
Inter leveled the score in the 42nd minute after a perfectly executed set piece from Kristjan Asllani which enabled Carlos Augusto to easily assist the Argentinian World Champion Lautaro Martinez, who made no mistake from close range.
Rayados nearly regained the lead in the 63rd minute when Sergio Canales fired a long-range strike from 25 meters, rattling the right post. Then, in the 67th minute, Martinez showed his class with a great finish, crossing the ball past Rayado’s goalkeeper Andrada, however, after a quick review the goal was ruled offside.
In the 76th minute, Di Marco set up Martínez with a perfect pass near the penalty spot, but he squandered the chance, sending his shot wide. Rayados had one last shot at a winner in stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, Johan Deossa’s effort from a tight angle skimmed the side netting, while facing fierce defending from Bastoni.
Both teams snatched a single point leaving them behind the group E leader River Plate (3pts) (Argentina) who defeated the Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds 3 to 1.
Group E next matches will take place on June 21 where Inter will face Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field (Seattle) while Rayados de Monterrey will face River Plate at the Rose Bowl (Pasadena). So far, no European team has beaten a South American team in the competition.